Transfer tremors

Tuesday, 02/02/2010

So the January transfer window has closed without any major moves or shocks, as football’s credit crunch continues to take a firm grip on most clubs’ finances.

The biggest deal was Adam Johnson’s permanent signing for Manchester City from Championship side Middlesbrough. The 22-year-old winger arrives on a four-year deal and will fill the gap left by Robinho’s departure in the short-term.

Long-term it seems a decent move for Johnson, although he’ll have to take his chances when they come along as City’s spending power means that patience is something their owners don’t need or possess, if Mark Hughes’ departure is anything to go by.

Another big deal was Wigan’s capture of wonder kid Victor Moses from Crystal Palace for £2.5m. Signing the talented teenage forward could prove to be something of a coup for the Latics if he reaches anywhere near the potential he’s shown this season.

With all the hype surrounding Moses, it’s surprising that only one Premier League side were willing to take a punt on him. There was interest from bigger Championship sides, but only Roberto Martinez put in a decent offer.

From the player’s point of view it seems a good deal, as he should get plenty of first-team action and if a bigger club come in, Wigan simply won’t be able to keep hold of him.

After considering two of Portsmouth’s goalkeepers, Stoke finally plumped for Asmir Begovic in a £3m deal. Tony Pulis probably plumped for the 21-year-old stopper over England contender David James due to his age and as a long-term investment. Begovic will now battle Sorensen for a first-team place and presumably David James will get plenty of game time before the World Cup.

Other noteworthy deadline day activity was mostly in the form of loan deals. Spurs striker Robbie Keane joined his boyhood heroes Celtic from Spurs until the end of the season and should hit the goal trail north of the border without too much problem.

Harry Redknapp will hope that Eidur Gudjohnsen’s guile, finishing and adaptability will fill the hole left by Keane as his side continue to battle for that all-important Champions League place.

Tottenham also temporarily lost two right-backs, with Kyle Naughton moving to Middlesbrough and Alan Hutton joining Sunderland. Strangely it leaves Redknapp with just one recognised right-back in Vedran Corluka, a bit of a gamble bearing in mind Spurs’ record with defensive injuries.

Another London club were fairly busy on deadline day as West Ham bolstered their attacking options with the permanent signing of Benni McCarthy from Blackburn, the loan deal of Mido from Middlesbrough and Brazilian hitman Ilan from St. Etienne.

Former England left-back Nicky Shorey swapped Aston Villa for Fulham and will probably do well under the guidance or Roy Hodgson after a decent spell on loan with Nottingham Forest.

Last January saw Manchester City splash the cash on the likes of Nigel De Jong, Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge. This year the Premier League’s big spenders only shelled out a reported £6m on Adam Johnson and snapped up Patrick Vieira on a free.

Although City are minted and could’ve broken the bank if required, their reduced spending is systematic of the hard times English football has stumbled upon. Most clubs have decided to go with what they’ve got until the summer, when the circus of the transfer window will start again.

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